| Avril | |
|---|---|
 Renfe Class 106 train atZamora railway station | |
| Manufacturer | Talgo |
| Family name | Avril |
| Constructed | 2012 (prototype) |
| Number built | 30 |
| Formation | 12 passenger cars, 2 power cars |
| Capacity | 507 seats - standard 581 seats - Avlo |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminum and composites |
| Train length | 201.8 m (662 ft 1 in) |
| Width | 3.2 metres (10 ft) |
| Maximum speed | Design: 380 km/h (240 mph) Commercial: 330 km/h (210 mph) Service: 300 km/h (190 mph)[1] |
| Weight | 325 t |
| Power output | 8.8 MW (11,800 hp) |
| Power supply | Overhead catenary Option foron board generator (hybrid propulsion) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50 Hz AC 1,500 V DC 3,000 V DC |
| Current collection | Pantograph |
| Braking system(s) | Regenerative dynamic braking, pneumatic brake |
| Safety system(s) | ETCS,ASFA,TVM |
| Track gauge | Fixed gauge (1435 mm) andvariable gauge (1435/1668 mm) |
Talgo Avril is apush-pullhigh-speed train made byTalgo. It stands for "Alta Velocidad Rueda Independiente Ligero" (roughly translated as "Light High-Speed Independent Wheel").[2] The trains are designated asClass 106 byRenfe, Spain's national railway operator.
The train is intended to have a designed service speed of 330 km/h (210 mph)[3] and a maximum speed of 380 km/h (240 mph).[2] It has front and rearpower cars containing under-floor/over-roof equipment and 12 trailer cars in between the power cars, giving a total seating capacity comparable to those of anelectric multiple unit rather than alocomotive-hauled train.[2] The trailer cars have a length of 13 m (42 ft 8 in).[2]
Other details:[4]
The final trains differ significantly from the prototype in design, without the characteristic duck-bill appearance. Initially planned to useABB traction equipment, Talgo later opted for traction converters from Ingeteam and traction motors fromTSA.[5] Renfe's trains each have 11 toilets, 2 wheelchair spaces and display screens behind seats.[6]
Talgo presented the Avril concept at theInnoTrans fair in Berlin in September 2010.[7] The prototype, named G3, was approved in Spain on 13 May 2016, traveling more than 76,000 kilometers, and up to 363 km/h.[8]
After several years of development and testing, the first order for Avril trains was placed in November 2016, when Spanish operatorRenfe Operadora signed a €786.5 million contract for 15standard-gauge train sets and 30 years of maintenance.[9] In May 2017, Renfe Operadora ordered another 15 variable gauge train sets for €495 million, with the Avril's entry into service expected in 2021,[10] which was later delayed to March 2024.[11] Renfe sought €116 million in compensation from Talgo for the delays in delivery, later seeking an additional €50 million and €80,000 per day of delay beyond 1 April 2024.[12]
A Talgo Avril train reached 360 km/h top-speed on the Ourense-Santiago de Compostela high-speed line on Iberian gauge as part of homologation testing.[13]
In October 2019,Adif, the Spanish railway infrastructure manager, ordered a single variable gauge trainset for €39 million, designed to serve as a diagnostics train.[14]
In 2023, French operatorLe Train signed a €300 million contract for 10 train sets and 30 years of maintenance.[15]
From 21 May 2024, Renfe schedules newAVE services to the Spanish regions ofAsturias andGalicia, operated by variable gauge Talgo Avril trains. Those AVE services are replacing the previouslyAlvia servicesMadrid Chamartín-Gijón andCastellón de la Plana/Vinaros-Gijón viaOviedo in Asturias and the Alvia services Madrid-A Coruña and Madrid-Vigo viaSantiago de Compostela,Vilagarcía de Arousa andPontevedra in Galicia.[16] In addition Talgo Avril will replaceS-112 trains for theAvlo Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Valencia, Madrid–Alicante andMurcia–Madrid–Valladolid services.[17]
Since the day of entry into service, the train has suffered numerous incidents, including power failures and software issues. On 5 August 2024, an Avlo train with 494 passengers was delayed for two hours in the Madrid Chamartín-Atocha tunnel due to a power failure. Interior temperatures rose to 40 °C, with passengers breaking windows for ventilation.[18] Renfe issued an apology and blamed Talgo for the issues with the trains.[19]
On 1 January 2025, the trains failed to start due to a software issue in the battery charging system, where it did not recognise the change in year. The issue was resolved the following day.[20]
In July 2025, routine inspections uncovered cracks in the motor bogie of a power car on an Avlo train operating Madrid–Barcelona services. All five trains used for the service were withdrawn from operation. A lack of available spare parts led to the deployment of Class102 and103 trains as substitutes. Drivers reported experiencing vibrations and irregular movements at speeds up to 310 km/h. On 25 July 2025, a speed limit of 250 km/h was imposed on a 190 km section of the route for the Class 106 trains from Madrid-Atocha to a point near Calatayud.[21]
-Servicio_Valladolid-Alicante_en_2024.jpg)
Transporting more than 600 passengers at 330km/h
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)| Lines in service |  | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lines under construction | |||||
| Planned lines | |||||
| Rolling stock | |||||
| Services |
| ||||